Our community is fortunate to have so many brilliant, insightful entrepreneurs and creatives and so many of them have front row, ground level seats that allow them to see emerging trends before the so-called experts, industry leaders, etc. We wanted to create a space to connect members of our community where they could share these insights on trends and opportunities they are seeing.

Adam Pedicini

In my early years, my parents separated when I was just one year old. It was during this time that my mother found solace in activities that brought her joy. I distinctly remember her dedication to aerobics and running, but what truly stood out was her willingness to step out of her comfort zone and enroll in a Whitewater kayaking course. These memories hold a special place in my heart, as they represent the beginning of my mother’s journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. Read more>>

Pierre Tsigaridis

When I was a kid, my parents would tell me a lot of stories. We travelled a lot and during these trips my mom would invent stories to keep us busy on planes and in airports. Obviously in the early ‘90s there were no iPad, smartphones etc. so as I kid, I would spend time playing with my toys and imagining stories for them. Read more>>

Megan Martineau

Something my parents instilled in me at a young age was that I was capable of going after anything I wanted. Growing up, they made sure to provide me with plenty of opportunities to pursue my passions, try new things, and expand my education so that I always had options. It is because of this that when I felt myself feeling burnt out at a traditional 9-5 job, and really feeling no sense of direction or purpose, I had the courage to go out on my own and do something completely different! Read more>>

Devon Cahill

My parents really helped me get my start on the stage. My mother is an actress, and my dad was in a new wave band back in the day. My mom got me started doing professional musical theatre when I was six years old, first playing the role of Gretl Von Trapp at the Goldenrod Showboat, and the following year playing Marta Von Trapp at the MUNY. Read more>>

Jeremiah Steen

My mother created a household environment that was conducive to growth, open to criticisms and an obligation to be truthful. There was no topic that could not be discussed, along as the conversation remained respectful and a resolve was met. This level of transparency, accountability and equity has been pivotal in my work, especially on the boards and steering committees I serve on – Skillman Foundation, Read more>>

Cora Lonning

The most important thing my parents did right was vow to not “rob us of our learning.” It was painful at times to watch their children fail, to hurt, to experience the cruelties of life. Yet, they carried the burden of this pain to ensure their children had all the skills, tools, and experience they needed to be more than contributing members of society. Read more>>

Tatiyanna Edwards

What did my parents do right? Hmm..where do I really start? I’ve learned so much from my parents! They both have definitely taught me the same thing but differently if that makes sense. The most important that really has impacted my career is patience, integrity, being compassionate, and most importantly having Faith! All of those contribute to being a great entrepreneur. Read more>>

Jennifer Tisdale

My parents are the reason I love Themed Entertainment – after all, they are the ones who made sacrifices and saved up money so that we could make trips to Orlando to visit Disney and Universal when I was growing up. They own their own web design business, with no other employees (except occasionally my sister and I) and have served as amazing role models for being self-starters. Read more>>

Josh Levine

My parents have always been my biggest inspiration. They both set the example of hard work paying off. From a financial standpoint, I don’t think my family and my childhood would be described as someone who came from a wealthy family. That being said, my parents Worked hard to ensure that my sister and I had everything we ever needed. Read more>>

Alvin Lee

First, my parents was God fearing people and made sure that we all had a spiritual walk in our lives. My father was a ministers, barber and entrepreneur and my mom was a stay at home mom that took care of her kids. I had 8 siblings one including me. My parents was very musically incline and gave us all the opportunity to learn and do music. Read more>>

Laura Jane Jones

It is interesting the discussion of parenthood and parenting. I want to be completely transparent and let people know that i am not a parent. I have the utmost respect for parents who dedicate their lives, spirit and heart to develop a fully fledged healthy human. My Parents like did a lot right and did some things wrong. The best thing my parents did was encourage us to be individuals and let go of fear. Read more>>

Robert Clarke

As a young man 13-14 I knew I wasn’t going to be a bouncer …(my fathers job later to become a nightclub manager )… I always painted and drew and it would at some point be a challenge for me to explain this to my parents …both working class , but voted Tory in the 70’s which is I guess what people are doing now as there is a tory government in the UK and brexit was a symptom of very misguided racist empire loving people from my fathers generation that tipped the divide on departing from Europe … Read more>>

Dani Coronado

My parents and I did not always have the best relationship- I’m sure many can relate- but they are both vital to my success as an artist. My mother loves the fine arts. We grew up going to the St. Louis Muny, the Fabulous Fox theater, various ballets, live music, galleries, sculpture parks, and the St. Louis Art Museum. She is a great supporter of the arts, and appreciates the ‘beauty’ of visual art. Read more>>

Jaylan Parent-Ongel

My mom was an absolute force. She raised me as a single mom and worked her booty off. She worked multiple jobs for most of my life actually – probably why I also work multiple jobs despite being a business owner. I can’t help myself. It’s embedded in me at this point. She absolutely gave me my work ethic and I am beyond appreciative of that. Read more>>

Kelsey Ball Fomengia

I was lucky to have grown up in Bermuda, which is a gorgeous island rich with diversity in all its forms. From a young age, my parents allowed me to explore this diversity, both inside and outside the home. One thing I recall, in particular, was parent’s desire for me to discover the wide range of extracurricular activities available to me, in order to find a hobby I could develop and master. Read more>>

Dee Pitchlyn Anders

As the phrase goes “one thing bout me”, I’m gone do it all. That mentality comes from the way my parents encouraged me growing up. My mother, used to tell me ” you’re gonna be one of the best singin’, beautician, basketball, volleyball, softball playing, doctor, and artist when you grow up…..You go girl!”. I’d laugh when she’d say it but it inspired me and I never felt limited in my dreams. Read more>>

Joey Mascio

My parents always supported me in anything I did. In high school I wanted to be an actor and they came to every show. After college, my brother and I wanted to write, direct, and star in our own plays and my parents made the sets and costumes. After that, I got into screenwriting in Hollywood and my parents would read my scripts and give me feedback. Read more>>

KIMBERLEY MOORE

Wow this is a power in depth question, what did my parents do right. Let’s start with creating and raising me to the women I am today. My mother was a strong loving woman, and she was afraid of her two daughters of making the same mistake she felt she made getting pregnant when she was only 17 years old. Read more>>

Kylan Richburg

What my parents did right is to make sure that I do the right thing and not do the wrong thing. They always made sure that j learn how to become responsible and professional towards others. It impact my career by letting chase my dreams and allowing me to become myself. They had always supported me and they have my best interest at heart. Read more>>

Karina & Ashley Sugar & Shears

Although Ashley and Karina grew up in different states, and in completely different ways, they grew up with the similarity that there was never a question if we were loved. They feel so lucky to have parents that always made an effort to put them first and create the best life, they possibly could for them in each and every moment. Read more>>

Jesénia Jackson

My parents recognized my gift, and ultimately a passion, and put everything they had into helping me develop and attain the skills required to pursue it. The moment my parents realized that I could sing and play the piano, they placed me in lessons from age 9 until I went to college. They made sure I participated in competitions, seminars, invested in instruments, and “made” me practice everyday, haha. Read more>>

Ebony Selima Peterson

Great question! Well, I’m the knee baby (as some would call it) and having older siblings makes you more aware of what’s going on in the world. My mom was a single parent, I was 10 when my dad past away, however, she made ways out of no ways. Whatever lessons my older siblings were taught we had to learn as well! Read more>>

Adrienne Bullock

There is countless things my parents did right. The one that has always applies to my daily life is healthy exposure. Everyday I try to expose not only myself but my children to something different. My parents used to always say you don’t know what you don’t know. Read more>>

Kieyesia Jetton

My parents taught me to work hard for anything I want in this world but also be kind and always give back if you have it cause your blessing will come when it’s my turn. Read more>>

Candice McField

Instilled in my brother and I that we can do anything we set our minds to if we put in the work and dedication. Read more>>

Michael Reinmiller

My parents did tons of volunteering and worked hard! The family theme was work hard play hard. Read more>>

Isabelle Dervaux

I was raised around love, confidence, persistence, creativity, acceptance and independence. If I didn’t have that foundation I probably wouldn’t have made it where I am nkw Read more>>

Eric Stangeland

My parents were instrumental in establishing a work ethic, especially when it came to following through on things.Your word, your commitment and going the extra mile are all things that I try to stay focused on, no matter the task at hand. This was very important when it came to teaching music, playing gigs, getting parts right in the studio no matter how hard the part was to nail. Read more>>

Kierstan Hernandez

Nurtured and supported my goals and aspirations. Read more>>

Lindsey, Megan Heckler, Crane

Both Megan and I’s parents gave us the freedom to be creative,whether that was buying us our first cameras, costumes, and being our hands on camera operators for hours at a time. But most importantly, they encouraged us to explore our own creativity in an environment where being silly and imaginative was always welcomed. We have never lost that feeling which is why Megan and I work so well together, we can always go back to being those two little girls and that has brought us our success with Cahoot House- Lindsey Read more>>

Bonnie Lalley

My parents were unusually supportive, for their time, in our pursuits as creatives. I have seven siblings and each of us, in our way, is a maker- from artisanal foods to gardens to writing and of course the visual arts. My parents both, grew up on farms in a region that is remote and surrounded by wilderness. They moved to a large city when they married, but, they never grew out of their love and delight at the bits of nature that came our way on our tiny urban lot. Flora and fauna were always a big part of the dinner table discussion. Read more>>

Nia Chanel

My mom is the best mom and Momager you could honestly ask for. She also gives the best business, academics and friend advice whenever I need it. The way she supports my dreams and goals as an actress and dancer will forever stand out to me. Whether that is driving back and forth to California, showing up to all dance performances or helping me prepare. I definitely would not be where I am now without her in my corner along with the rest of my village. Read more>>